With five generations of knowledge, Verne & Ellsworth Hann has provided our clients in Shaker Heights with outstanding customer service. When you need trained HVAC technicians or certified plumbing services, you can count on Verne & Ellsworth.
Northeast Ohio’s Heating, Air Conditioning, Boilers, Plumbing experts. If you’re having problems with your HVAC or plumbing, contact us today!

Reliable Heating Replacement & Repair
The average winter temperature for Shaker Heights is 36 degrees. When the weather is that cold, you need to know you can count on your heating unit to do its job. Inevitably, heating units will break down, but you can always count on Verne & Ellsworth for reliable heating services. We can install, replace, repair, and maintain your home’s heating unit.Â
Our qualified heating technicians have decades of experience with:
- Gas and electric furnaces: These are tried and tested methods for keeping your home warm. With reliable fuel sources and the ability to share your AC’s existing ductwork, a furnace is a fantastic option for heating your home.
- Boilers: Boilers heat the home by boiling water, piped throughout to radiate heat into the air. This centuries-old device uses one of the most reliable methods around.
- Heat pumps: Heat pumps are a modern way to heat your home. They work without external heat sources, such as furnaces and boilers, and can pull heat from the air, ground, or a nearby water source.Â
Comprehensive Cooling & AC Services
When the humidity spikes and the temperature approaches 90 degrees, it’s no time for your AC to stop. No matter the issue, you can count on Verne & Ellsworth for trustworthy cooling services. Our certified AC technicians can install, replace, repair, and maintain your home’s AC unit.
We have decades of knowledge in:
- Ductless mini-splits: A ductless mini-split gives you complete control over your home’s temperature without the cumbersome ductwork of traditional units. A ductless mini-split cools your home through an individual unit mounted to the wall in each room.
- High-velocity ACs: High-velocity AC units are a perfect option for historic homes in the Shaker Heights area. Instead of ductwork, they use small, flexible tubing to pipe air throughout your home.
Air Quality & Ductwork Services in Shaker Heights
The air quality in your home has a significant impact on your health and well-being. This is why Verne & Ellsworth is proud to work with units such as:
- Air scrubbers and cleaners: These units keep the air free of germs and allergens, keeping your lungs happy and healthy.
- Carbon monoxide detection: These can be life-saving devices for those using gas or oil furnaces.
- Whole-house humidifiers: Dry air pulls moisture from anywhere it can. Protect your home, furniture, and skin with a whole-house humidifier.
- Whole-house dehumidifiers: Too much moisture in the air can lead to mildew and mold issues. A dehumidifier is an easy way to prevent this.Â
Top-Rated Plumbing Services
Malfunctioning plumbing is a fast way to ruin your day. You can count on Verne & Ellsworth when you need qualified plumbing services. We’ll keep your plumbing running smoothly with such services as:
- Water heaters: We can install or repair your traditional or tankless water heaters.
- Water lines: We can install or repair your water lines to keep your potable water flowing.Â
- Gas lines: We can pipe, repair, and test your gas lines to ensure your home’s safety.
- Drain snaking: We’ll keep your home draining smoothly, removing any pesky clogs you may face.
Schedule With Verne & Ellsworth Hann in Shaker Heights
One of the oldest family-run businesses in the area, Verne & Ellsworth has won the Angi Super Service Award and the Best of the Heights Award. We are committed to outstanding customer service, professionalism, and integrity. When our licensed and insured technicians set foot on your property, you can rest assured the job will be done right.
Contact our team today to request a free estimate or to schedule services in Shaker Heights.
Recent Jobs and Reviews in Shaker Heights, OH
Job Locations and Reviews
Replaced defective boiler piping in mechanical room, installing new copper pipe runs with appropriate fittings to restore proper system operation. All connections were properly soldered and tested, with expansion tank and associated components reconnected to ensure reliable hydronic heating system performance.
Responded to water leak at return line joint that was recently replaced. Upon arrival, found active leak at pipe connection with bucket positioned to catch dripping water and visible floor staining indicating ongoing moisture issue. Inspected joint connection on copper return line where it meets insulated vertical pipe assembly. Repaired leaking joint by properly sealing and securing the connection point to eliminate water discharge. Verified repair held pressure and no further leakage was present upon completion.
Conducted on-site evaluation for tankless water heater installation. Assessed existing plumbing infrastructure, electrical panel capacity, and utility space configuration to determine feasibility and requirements for system upgrade.
Responded to service call for blower motor continuing to run after thermostat shut off. Diagnosed faulty blower relay on air handler control board causing continuous operation. Replaced defective relay and verified proper system cycling with thermostat commands, restoring normal automatic fan operation.
Successfully completed full steam boiler replacement in residential basement, including removal of existing unit and installation of new gas-fired steam boiler with updated venting system. Upgraded main venting with two new main vents to improve system air purging and enhance steam distribution efficiency. Installed new automatic water feeder to maintain proper boiler water level and prevent low-water conditions. Replaced three radiator vents throughout the building to ensure proper air elimination and balanced heat delivery to all zones. All copper piping connections were made to code, and black iron gas piping was properly installed and tested for leaks. System was pressure tested, fired up, and cycled to verify proper operation of all safety controls and limit switches. Confirmed adequate steam production and distribution to all radiators with proper condensate return.
Conducted site assessment for central air conditioning installation in century-old residential property currently equipped with boiler heating system only. Evaluated existing window-mounted AC unit, interior layout, exterior utility access corridor between buildings, and determined optimal routing for refrigerant lines and condensate drainage through narrow service passageway with existing mechanical infrastructure. Provided comprehensive estimate for complete cooling system addition including equipment specifications, ductwork design, and installation requirements compatible with historic structure.
Conducted on-site evaluation of existing HVAC system in basement mechanical room for replacement estimate. Documented current equipment configuration including vertical furnace/air handler unit with 16x25x4 filter specification. Assessed installation environment, ductwork connections, and accessibility for future replacement work. Captured photographic documentation of existing system condition and surrounding workspace to support equipment sizing and installation planning recommendations.
Performed comprehensive sump pump inspection at residential property built in 1993. Evaluated existing sump pump system including basin, discharge piping, and backup battery power supply unit. Assessed pump functionality, electrical connections, and PVC discharge line configuration. System components including black backup power unit with wall-mounted control panel were inspected for proper operation. Verified basin water level management and confirmed all electrical connections were secure and functioning correctly.
Responded to no heat call for boiler system. Upon arrival, conducted visual inspection of basement mechanical area and documented existing plumbing infrastructure, gas piping, and structural conditions surrounding the heating system. Photographed current installation layout including gas supply lines, venting components, and mounting location to assess equipment accessibility and code compliance requirements for potential boiler replacement or repair recommendations.
Responded to plumbing system cross-connection issue where cold water line was incorrectly connected to hot water supply. Disconnected the improperly connected cold line from the hot side of the system. Repiped the hot water line correctly to restore proper water supply configuration. Work performed in exposed plumbing compartment with copper supply lines and shut-off valves. System tested and verified operational upon completion.
Responded to no-heat call for 20-year-old boiler that would not ignite. Upon arrival, inspected boiler system and associated components in basement mechanical room, including circulator pump, zone valves, and water treatment equipment. Diagnosed ignition failure, performed necessary repairs to restore heating operation, and verified proper system function before departure.
Removed deteriorated cast iron 90-degree bend at connection point to clay piping by breaking up basement concrete floor. Excavated and exposed the damaged fitting, then removed the compromised cast iron section. Installed Schedule 40 PVC piping with cleanout fitting to replace the failed cast iron assembly. Repatched the concrete floor sections that were removed during excavation to restore the surface.
Completed comprehensive cooling maintenance tune-up on three outdoor condensing units servicing residential property. Performed full system diagnostics using refrigerant manifold with micron gauge, recording temperatures, pressures, and operational parameters across all three systems to verify proper refrigerant charge levels and system performance. All units inspected, tested, and confirmed operating within manufacturer specifications.
Responded to emergency plumbing call for blocked drain causing basement flooding in a 20-year-old residential property. Upon arrival, found significant water accumulation on concrete basement floor with extensive staining and sediment deposits indicating active drainage failure. Assessed plumbing system and identified main drain blockage as source of backup. Utilized drain snake and hydro-jetting equipment to clear obstruction from primary drain line. Removed debris and buildup causing the blockage, restoring proper flow and drainage function. Verified system operation and confirmed water was draining properly through all fixtures. Documented existing water damage to basement floor for homeowner's records.
Conducted estimate for complete furnace replacement of 11-year-old Goodman unit in basement mechanical room. Upon inspection, discovered severe contamination from liquified rodent remains inside the furnace cabinet, rendering the existing equipment unsanitary and unsafe for continued operation. Documented existing HVAC system configuration including flexible ductwork, humidifier integration, and current electrical connections to provide accurate replacement specifications and ensure proper system sizing for the home.
Performed routine heating maintenance and tune-up on 3-year-old furnace system operating within normal parameters. Conducted comprehensive diagnostics including gas pressure verification at 35.1 units using digital manometer and temperature differential measurements across heat exchanger. All system components inspected and confirmed proper operation with no deficiencies noted.
Completed annual cooling system maintenance on residential air conditioning unit. Performed comprehensive inspection of outdoor condensing unit, verifying proper operation of condenser fan motor and checking electrical connections. Inspected indoor furnace components including draft inducer motor assembly and blower housing. Delivered and provided customer with case of custom filters as previously purchased. All electrical connections tested and found secure, fan operation verified within normal parameters, and system operating efficiently with no deficiencies noted.
Completed comprehensive preventative maintenance and tune-up on 18-year-old residential air conditioning system prior to cooling season startup. Performed full system inspection of outdoor condenser unit, verified refrigerant levels and pressures, cleaned condenser coils, checked electrical connections and capacitor condition, tested compressor operation and amp draw, and confirmed proper airflow through unit. All components found to be functioning within normal parameters despite age of equipment. System cleared for seasonal operation with no immediate repairs required.
Responded to service call for furnace displaying error code indicating filter maintenance required. Upon arrival, performed system inspection and documented equipment condition. Found significant rust discoloration on internal metal surfaces visible through ventilation slots of drain pan area, indicating potential corrosion concerns. Inspected gas burner assembly, ignition components, gas valve, and control wiring - all appeared operational. Advised homeowner of filter replacement requirement per error code and discussed rust findings observed in base pan area for future monitoring.
Completed comprehensive AC tune-up on cooling system, performing standard maintenance procedures including inspection of blower assembly, electrical connections, and internal components. Additionally inspected garage heater burners per customer request, as this was not completed during the initial tune-up visit.